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Hiroyasu Satoh

Publications and source records attributed to Hiroyasu Satoh.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Cardiac electrophysiological modulation by NS-7, a novel neuroprotective drug, of guinea pig ventricular muscles.

Effects of NS-7 (1 to 100 microM), a novel neuroprotective drug, on the action potentials in guinea pig ventricular muscles were investigated at different stimulation frequencies, different extracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca](o)) and in the presence of inhibitors for selective delayed rectifier K(+) channels. A conventional microelectrode technique was carried out. NS-7 caused inhibitory actions on the action potential configuration in a concentration-dependent manner. NS-7 at less concentrations than 30 microM did not affect, but at 100 microM decreased the action potential amplitude (APA) and the maximum rate of depolarization (V(max)) by 11.1 +/- 2.3% (n = 14, P < 0.05) and by 24.3 +/- 2.6% (n = 14, P < 0.01), respectively. NS-7 at 100 microM also prolonged the 75 and 90% repolarizations of action potential duration (APD(75) and APD(90)) by 14.5 +/- 2.2% (n = 14, P < 0.05) and 20.2 +/- 2.4% (n = 14, P < 0.01), respectively, but it at any concentrations failed to affect the 50% repolarization of action potential duration (APD(50)). The resting potential was unaffected. These responses were almost reversible after 10-to 20-min washout. The stronger inhibition was caused at higher frequencies of stimulation. NS-7 prolonged the APD at lower [Ca](o) than 3.6 mM. In the presence of 5 microM E-4031 or 30 microM 293B, NS-7 increased further the APD. These results indicate that NS-7 at relatively higher concentrations produced inhibitory actions on the cardiac muscles, and that the APD prolongation and the V(max) inhibition induced by NS-7 are dependent on stimulation frequencies, but are independent of [Ca](o) levels, resulting in exhibition of its cardioprotective action.

Action Potentials↗

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by activated sludge treating municipal wastewater: effect of pH, sludge retention time (SRT), and acetate concentration in influent.

In this paper, the production of biodegradable plastics polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by activated sludge treating municipal wastewater was investigated. The effect of three operational factors, i.e. the acetate concentration in influent, pH, and sludge retention time (SRT) were studied. Sludge acclimatized with municipal wastewater supplemented with acetate could accumulate PHA up to 30% of sludge dry weight, while sludge acclimatized with only municipal wastewater achieved 20% of sludge dry weight. It was found that activated sludge with an SRT of 3 days possessed better PHA production capability than sludge with an SRT of 10 days. Sludge acclimatized under pH 7 and 8 conditions in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) exhibited similar PHA production capability. However, in PHA production batch experiments, pH value influenced significantly the PHA accumulation behavior of activated sludge. When pH of batch experiments was controlled at 6 or 7, a very low PHA production was observed. The production of PHA was stimulated when pH was kept at 8 or 9.

Acetates↗

Effects of ginkgo biloba extract and bilobalide, a main constituent, on the ionic currents in guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE, 0.01 to 1 mg/ml) and a main constituent, bilobalide (0.1 to 1 mumol/l), on the action potentials and the underlying ionic currents in guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes were investigated using a patch-clamp technique. Both GBE and bilobalide at high concentrations caused depressant actions on the action potential configuration. GBE (0.3 mg/ml) decreased the Vmax by 17.1 +/- 2.1% (n = 6, p < 0.05), and bilobalide (1 mumol/l) by 14.7 +/- 2.2% (n = 8, p < 0.05). GBE prolonged the action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90), by 70.6 +/- 2.8% (n = 6, p < 0.001) at 1 mg/ml; in contrast, bilobalide shortened APD, by 11.1 +/- 2.0% (n = 8, p < 0.05) at 3 mumol/l. In voltage-clamp experiments, GBE (1 mg/ml) markedly inhibited the Ca2+ current (ICa) at 10 mV by 90.1 +/- 3.0% (n = 6, p < 0.001), the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) at 60 mV by 63.7 +/- 3.0% (n = 6, p < 0.01), and the inwardly rectifying K+ current (IK1) at -120 mV by 47.8 +/- 2.6% (n = 6, p < 0.01). On the other hand, bilobalide at 1 mumol/l enhanced the ICa by 40.0 +/- 2.3% (n = 6, p < 0.05), and the IK by 14.0 +/- 2.3% (n = 6, p < 0.05), concentration-dependently. The IK1 was unaffected. These responses were reversible (to approximately 50-80%) after 10- to 20-min washout. These results indicate that even after acute administrations, GBE and bilobalide produced active actions on the APD and the ionic currents in cardiomyocytes. Although each chemical exhibited the responses in opposite directions, GBE acts totally as a mixture.

Action Potentials↗

Elecropharmacology of taurine on the hyperpolarization-activated inward current and the sustained inward current in spontaneously beating rat sino-atrial nodal cells.

Modulation by taurine of the pacemaking activity and the underlying ionic currents, especially a hyperpolarization-activated inward current (I(f)) and a sustained inward current (I(ST)), in rat sino-atrial (SA) nodal cells was investigated at different pCa levels using a patch-clamp technique. Increasing pCa levels from 10 to 6 stimulated the spontaneous activity and simultaneously increased the I(f). Application of taurine depressed more strongly the spontaneous activity at higher pCa levels. At all pCa levels, however, taurine (20 mM) increased the I(f) by 60.1 +/- 1.7% (n = 8, P<0.001) at pCa 10 and by 48.0 +/- 1.4% (n = 8, P<0.01) at pCa 7. At pCa 7, taurine (10 and 20 mM) decreased the sustained inward current (I(ST)) by 13.3 +/- 1.1% (n = 5, P<0.05) and by 38.1 +/- 2.4% (n = 5, P<0.01), respectively. Taurine (20 mM) inhibited the L-type Ca(2+) current (I(CaL)) by 35.8 +/- 2.5% (n = 8, P<0.01), whereas taurine enhanced the T-type Ca(2+) current (I(CaT)) by 29.3 +/- 2.9% (n = 8, P<0.05). Also, taurine at pCa 7 decreased the delayed rectifier K(+) current; taurine at 20 mM inhibited the rapidly activated K(+) current (I(Kr)) by 55.6 +/- 3.3% (n = 6, P<0.001), but not the slowly activated K(+) current (I(Ks)). Taurine often elicited dysrhythmias, dependent on taurine's concentrations and pCa levels. These results indicate that taurine causes a negative chronotropic effect due to the inhibitions of the pacemaking ionic currents such as I(CaL), I(Kr) and I(ST), and suggest that the I(f) and I(CaT) currents make a minor contribution to pacemaking activity in rat SA nodal cells.

Action Potentials↗

Age-dependent effects induced by ouabain in rat heart muscles and cellular Ca2+ concentration.

Responsiveness to ouabain of the inotropic and chronotropic effects in rat atrial muscles during development (3-18 wks old) was examined. In spontaneously beating rat right atrial muscles, ouabain (3-30 microM) caused a potent positive inotropic effect in a concentration-dependent manner, but failed to have a chronotropic effect; at 30 microM, 78.6 +/- 3.4% (n = 14, p<0.01) in the contractile force and -1.1 +/- 2.3% (n = 14, p>0.05) in the sinus rate in 10-wk-old rats. The myocardium during development increased the responsiveness to ouabain (10 microM) by 27.6 +/- 2.1% (n = 14, p<0.01), 58.7 +/- 3.3% (n = 14, p<0.001), and 47.2 +/- 2.3% (n = 14, p<0.001) in 3-, 10-, and 18- wk-old rats, respectively. However, the response on the sinus rate was not modified in all of the developing stages. Higher frequencies of stimulation caused the more potent inotropic effect in left atrial muscles. In the experiments using a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2), ouabain (10 and 30 microM) increased the cellular Ca2+ concentrations by 3.0 +/- 2.1% (n = 6, p>0.05) and 12.7 +/- 1.5% (n = 6, p<0.05) in 3-wk-old rats and by 13.0 +/- 2.7% (n = 6, p<0.05) and 42.9 +/- 3.1% (n = 6, p<0.01) in 18-wk-old rats, respectively. These results suggest that the ouabain-evoked response is enhanced during development (but tends to decrease from the maximum after maturing), presumably resulting from developmental degrees of cellular mechanisms such as Na+/K+ pump activity and Na+/Ca2+ exchange and is reflected by changes in the cellular Ca2+ concentration.

Aging↗

Different accumulation of elements in the rami of the coronary arteries of Thai.

To analyze the accumulation of elements in the rami of the coronary arteries, the authors determined element contents in both the coronary arteries and their rami of the Thai by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The subjects consisted of 13 men and 6 women, ranging in age from 34 to 83 yr. It was found that a higher accumulation of calcium and phosphorus occurred in the proximal sites of coronary arteries such as the anterior descending, right coronary, left coronary, and circumflex arteries than the distal sites such as the diagonal, lateral, conus, acute marginal, and posterior descending arteries. The accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in the anterior descending and right coronary arteries of the Thai increased remarkably in the fifties, thereafter decreased, and increased again in the eighties. It should be noted that a very high accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in the coronary arteries occurred in the fifties. In regard to relationships among the average contents of elements in the coronary arteries and their rami, it was found that there were very significant direct correlations between calcium and phosphorus contents, between calcium and magnesium contents, and between phosphorus and magnesium contents. These results suggested that as calcium and phosphorus increased in the coronary arteries and their rami, magnesium increased simultaneously in all of the coronary arteries and their rami.

Adult↗

A special comment on trace metals in the viscera of turbo marmoratus, a toxic snail, on Ryukyu Island.

Trace metals in the viscera of Turbo marmoratus, a huge conical spire, in the coral reef of Ryukyu Island were analyzed. The highest amount of Zn and Fe was detectable in the midgut gland known to be polluted by saxitoxin. This intestine maintained a considerable amount of Si (higher than Ca) which fluctuated in parallel with the taurine amount. These data suggest that the viscera of the alimentary tract accumulate some metals, especially Zn and Fe.

Animals↗

Accumulation of elements in the arteries and cardiac valves of Thai with aging.

To elucidate whether the extent of element accumulation in the arteries and cardiac valves with aging was different between different races, the authors investigated the accumulation of elements in the arteries and cardiac valves of the Thai with aging and the relationships among elements in the cardiac valves. After ordinary dissection at Chiang Mai University was finished, 16 arteries and 4 cardiac valves were resected and element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. In the 16 arteries, the average content of calcium was the highest in the site of the abdominal aorta ramifying into the common iliac arteries, and it decreased in the order internal iliac, coronary, abdominal aorta, common iliac, external iliac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, thoracic aorta, brachial, radial, common carotid, subclavian, ulnar, axillary, renal, and internal thoracic arteries. The average contents of phosphorus and magnesium in respective arteries were parallel with the average contents of calcium, except for the coronary artery. In comparison with the arteries of the Japanese, the trend of calcium accumulation in the arteries of the Thai was almost similar to that in the arteries of the Japanese, except for the coronary artery and thoracic aorta. The calcium accumulation in the coronary artery was much higher in the Thai than in the Japanese, whereas that in the thoracic aorta was lower in the Thai than in the Japanese. Regarding elements in the cardiac valves, the calcium content increased remarkably in the seventies in the aortic valve and in the nineties in the pulmonary valve, but it hardly increased in both the mitral and tricuspid valves with aging. The average content of calcium was the highest in the aortic valve, and it decreased in the order pulmonary, tricuspid, and mitral valves. Regarding the relationship among elements in the aortic valves, it was found that there were extremely significant direct correlations among the contents of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, whereas there were significant direct correlations between zinc and either calcium or phosphorus contents. Although significant correlations were found between sulfur and the other element contents in the aortic valves fo the Japanese, no significant correlations were found between them in the aortic valves of the Thai. In the mitral valves, extremely or very significant direct correlations were found among the contents of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sulfur, with some exceptions that there were no significant correlations between phosphorus and either magnesium or sulfur contents. in addition, no significant correlation was found in the calcium content between the aortic valve and coronary artery in the same individuals.

Adult↗

Sino-atrial nodal cells of mammalian hearts: ionic currents and gene expression of pacemaker ionic channels.

The cardiac pacemaker is a sino-atrial (SA) nodal cell. The signal induced by this pacemaker is distributed over the heart surface by a specialised conduction system and is clinically recorded as the ECG. The SA nodal cells are highly resistant to cardiac failure and ischemia. Under calcium overload conditions, some dysrythmias of SA nodal cells occur easily. Morphological analysis under these conditions shows swelling of the cisternae of the Golgi apparatus, with little or no other histological change or damage being observed. The rate of sinus rhythm is quite different between various species. The investigations of SA nodal cells have so far clarified the pacemaker mechanisms involved. A number of ionic channel currents or pacemaker currents, contribute to the depolarization of the pacemaker potential (phase 4). This will not occur with a single current. Recent experiments have identified several novel pacemaker currents and have also revealed several differences in the pacemaker currents between species. The marked hyperpolarization-activated inward current (I(f)) appears in SA nodal cells of most species, while the inwardly rectifying K+ current (I(K1)) with masked I(f) current is found in those of the rat and monkey. In addition, the rapidly activated current (I(Kr)) and slowly activated current (I(Ks)) of the delayed rectifier K+ current (I(K)) contribute to the pacemaker potential in guinea pig SA nodal cells, with only the I(Ks) current in porcine SA nodal cells and only the I(Kr) current in the rat and rabbit. These differences in ionic channels presumably result from differences in gene expression. Some smooth muscle cells also possess the capacity to beat spontaneously. Uterine smooth muscle cells also exhibit an I(f) current. The basal mechanism for spontaneous activity in both SA nodal cells and smooth muscle cells is almost the same, but some differences in the ionic channels and their genetic expression may contribute to their respective pacemaker currents.

Animals↗

Microbial community analysis of thermophilic contact oxidation process by using ribosomal RNA approaches and the quinone profile method.

Microbial community structure of a lab scale thermophilic aerobic wastewater treatment reactor was analyzed by a combination of culture-independent methods. Quinone profile method provides for chemical analysis of respiratory quinone molecular species, which corresponds to bacterial groups. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA partial sequences (PCR-DGGE) clarifies community changes at species level, as DGGE can separate DNA fragments of different sequences. Certain phvlogenetic groups of bacterial cells can be labeled by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Quinone profile showed a predominant presence of MK-7. PCR-DGGE revealed that constituents of the community were unchanged during the stable phase. FISH demonstrated the existence of the relatives of Bacillus lentus and B. thermocloacae in considerable proportions. The community was mainly composed of Bacillaceae, and obligate thermophilic and mesophilic Bacillus appeared in spite of the temperature fluctuation from 35 degrees C to 60 degrees C. The combination of these culture-independent methods revealed the community precisely enough to evaluate the reactor performance.

Bacillaceae↗

Bacteriophages isolated from activated sludge processes and their polyvalency.

In this study, bacteriophages were isolated from activated sludge and their host range was studied. Bacterial isolates were obtained from an activated sludge process treating urban sewage, and bacteriophages were obtained by plaque assay using the bacterial isolates obtained in this study as the host. Out of 15 bacteria isolated, 9 supported plaque formation. The host range test was conducted with a combination of 8 bacteriophage isolates and 9 bacterial isolates. All of the 8 bacteriophages tested were found to form plaques on more than 1 host, and 4 of them formed plaques on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial isolates. Three of the 8 bacteriophages failed to form plaques on their original bacterial host. The experimental result indicates that bacteriophages are an active part of the activated sludge microbial ecosystem, having a very close ecological relationship with their host bacteria.

Bacteria↗

Modulation by nicotine of the ionic currents in guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes. Relatively higher sensitivity to IKr and IKl.

The effects of nicotine on the ionic currents in guinea pig cardiomyocytes were investigated using a whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Nicotine (30 microM to 1 mM) inhibited the ionic currents in a concentration-dependent manner. Nicotine at 30 microM did not affect the Ca2+ current (ICa), but at 300 microM inhibited ICa at 10 mV by 29.3 +/- 2.4% (n = 6, P < .01) and at 1 mM almost blocked the ICa (by approximately 90%, n = 5, P < .001). After 5- to 10-min washout, these responses had 50-70% recovery. The fast time constant (tau f) of the inactivation phase for ICa at 10 mV was not affected, but the slow one (tau s) increased from 35.7 +/- 2.8 to 39.5 +/- 2.4 ms (n = 7) at 300 microM nicotine. Nicotine at 100 microM also inhibited the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) at 60 mV by 42.7 +/- 3.0% (n = 7, P < .01), and at 30 microM inhibited the inwardly rectifying K+ current (IKl) at -110 mV by 43.0 +/- 2.5% (n = 7, P < .01). The responses to nicotine were not significantly modified by atropine, hexamethonium, and nicotine receptor antagonists (d-tubocurarine and benzoquinonium). The IK is composed of two components for rapidly and slowly activated currents (IKr and IKs). Nicotine markedly decreased the tail current of IKr, but had less or no effect on that of IKs. However, the activation and inactivation kinetics (d infinity and f infinity) for ICa and its activation kinetics (P infinity) for IKr and IKs were not modified. These results suggest that nicotine inhibits the ionic currents with relatively higher sensitivity to IKl and IKr, resulting in modulation of the cardiac functions.

Animals↗

Cardiac functions and taurine's actions at different extracellular calcium concentrations in forced swimming stress-loaded rats.

Modulation of the sinus rate and contractile force by taurine at different extracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]o) was examined using rat right atria loaded with forced swimming stress. Serum concentration of corticosterone profoundly increased in stress-loaded rats as compared with native rats. The taurine level in serum also increased in stress-loaded rats, but was not changed in the different heart tissues and aorta. Heat-shock protein (HSP72) was detectable in cardiac muscles and in the lumen of cardiac blood vessels of stress-loaded rats using a monoclonal antibody. Increasing [Ca2+]o (from 0.9 to 3.6 mM) enhanced the sinus rate and contractile force in a [Ca2+]o-dependent fashion in native rats, but not in stress-loaded rats. Taurine (1-20 mM) caused a negative chronotropic and inotropic effect in a concentration-dependent manner. At 1.8 mM [Ca2+]o, the negative chronotropic effect of taurine (10-20 mM) was attenuated in stress-loaded rats as compared with native rats. These results indicate that swimming stress causes a release of taurine into the serum and reduces the sensitivity to [Ca2+]o. Taurine administration might, in part, exhibit the protective actions on acute stress-induced responses.

Animals↗

Compositional changes of human mitral valves with aging.

To elucidate compositional changes of the mitral valve with aging, the authors investigated the relationships among element contents in the mitral valves. The subjects consisted of 10 men and 15 women, ranging in age from 65 to 102 yr. After the ordinary dissection, mitral valves, lower parts of the interventricular septa, and terminal crests containing the sinoatrial nodes were resected and the element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The interventricular septa and sinoatrial nodes were used to compare with the mitral valves. With regard to the mitral valve, it was found that extremely significant correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, and Na, but no significant correlations were found between the contents of S and elements such as Ca, P, or Mg. Regarding the interventricular septum, it was found that an extremely significant correlation was found between P and S contents; very significant correlations were found between Ca and Mg contents and between Mg and S contents; and a significant correlation was found between P and Mg contents. However, no significant correlation was found between Ca and P contents in the interventricular septa. In the terminal crest containing the sinoatrial node, significant correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, and S. The present study revealed that with regard to the relationships among element contents, the compositional change of the mitral valve was intermediate between those of the thoracic aorta and the interventricular septum.

Age Factors↗

Hydromechanical stimulation of bioluminescent plankton.

The response of the bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrocystis fusiformis was investigated for different hydraulic conditions ('hydromechanical stimulation'). Pipe flow and oscillating shear produced luminescence, whereas changes in hydrostatic pressure were not stimulating. More intense fluid motion led to higher intensity, mainly due to a higher probability of cell response. The organism was also able to emit light in a glucose-salt mixture. The experiments suggest that the cells are effectively stimulated if the flow conditions change in time.

Animals↗